RIPON, WI (WTAQ) – A cookie plant in Ripon in planning to close, putting about 300 workers out of a job.
ConAgra Foods are telling employees Monday that they’re planning to close its west cookie plant with layoffs expected to be done by December.
In a statement Monday, ConAgra said:
“Following an extensive evaluation of our plant network, we have determined that we need to close the soft bake and enrobed cookies facility in Ripon, WI. We are currently meeting with employees to let them know that the transition will occur in phases between September of 2015 and the end of the year. This does not impact the wafer cookie facility in Ripon.”
Company officials say employees affected have the option of applying for other open positions with ConAgra.
FOX 11 reports that local union leaders will attempt to talk ConAgra into keeping the plant open. Workers United Local 91 say they were told by the company that the soft cookies made there are not profitable, and the plant needs capital investment.
Enrobed cookies, which are cookies with additional chocolate on the top or bottom, are also made at the plant.
About 80 people are employed at ConAgra’s east plant, which makes wafer cookies. Company officials say that plant is not impacted by these layoffs and will stay in operation.
